NORMAL, Ill - Austin Peay took advantage of a trio of early walks and held on for a 3-2 victory against Illinois State, in the first game of a Saturday non-conference doubleheader at Duffy Bass Field.

Austin Peay (9-8) started the game with center fielder Michael Blanchard reaching on a walk and advancing to second with a wild pitch. Two outs later, first baseman John Hogan singled to right, allowing Blanchard to scamper home with the first run.

The Govs extended their lead in the second inning, as the Redbirds issued back-to-back two-out walks. Blanchard brought both runners home with a triple into the right-center field gap, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay starter Jeremy Dobbs worked out of first-inning trouble - where he faced runners on second and third with one out - with back-to-back strikeouts. His three-strikeout first inning was just the start of an 11-strikeout performance - the most strikeouts by an APSU pitcher since Stephen Huff struck out 11 on Feb. 27, 2010.

Illinois State (12-6) finally scratched out a run in the fifth when Dobbs surrendered back-to-back hits to start the inning. Second baseman Kevin Tokarski brought a run home with a sacrifice fly.

Dobbs struck out the side in order in the sixth, but found himself back in trouble in the seventh courtesy an error. After allowing a one-out single, Dobbs failed in a pickoff attempt at first base, allowing the runner to reach third base. Catcher Matt Mirabal singled in the run, cutting the APSU lead to 2-1, but advanced to second on an error by the right fielder.

Dobbs left the game as reliever Chuck Edlin entered the game and allowed the runner to advance on a wild pitch, but later induced a groundout to end the inning. Edlin would work past a runner in scoring position in the eighth before closer Ryne Harper retired the side in order in the ninth for his first career save.

Dobbs (4-0) picked up the victory after allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out 11 over 6.2 innings.

Austin Peay's offense had another quiet outing with just five hits. Second baseman Jordan Hankins '2-for-4 outing was the Govs only multi-hit outing and extended his hit streak to six games. Right fielder Rolando Gautier extended his hit streak to 16 games with a third-inning single and finished 1-for-3. Blanchard ended the game 1-for-4 with two RBI.

Illinois State starter Dan Savas (2-1) suffered his season's first loss after allowing three runs on four walks and four hits over six innings. Shortstop Josh Colon was 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Redbirds offense which posted six hits.

The two teams will finish their series with a 4 p.m., Saturday contest.

-AP-